In a conference call with reporters, Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Penn.) called for a reexamination of the U.S. relationship with Pakistan in light of Osama bin Laden’s death. “[Pakistan’s] cooperation with the United States has been important at times,” Toomey conceded. “But at other times, there’s no question that enemies of the United States have been using Pakistan as a sanctuary.” Toomey voiced concern that bin Laden was found “in a compound 800 yards from a Pakistani military academy.”

When asked how our relationship with Pakistan might change, Toomey hedged: He would withhold judgment until he had received a briefing on the operation. Still, he admitted, “They’re also making it very, very hard to prevail as we would like to in Afghanistan. We’ve got to constantly reexamine this relationship.”

Speaking more generally, Toomey celebrated the news of bin Laden’s death. “I think this is really great news for the United States, but beyond that, it’s great news for the entire civilized world,” Toomey said. “It diminishes some of the mystique and allure he apparently has for some of the people recruited into this terrible movement.” The senator then congratulated President Obama, the military, and the intelligence community for their doggedness. “[They] have been pursuing every possible lead. They never stopped. Their persistence has paid off.”

Toomey received news of bin Laden’s death last night while watching the Phillies game. “I did not get any information prior to the media reports,” he added.

Asked to comment on the news’ larger significance in the War on Terror, Toomey argued that bin Laden was probably just a figurehead, and so his capture would have little effect on the capacity of al-Qaeda and other like-minded organizations to attack the United States. He also believed the news would not fundamentally change the mission in Afghanistan: to deprive terrorist organizations of a safe haven. That said, Toomey also appreciated the psychological value of bin Laden’s demise: “[Terrorists] may be able to evade us for some time, but we have the persistence and the ability to bring people to justice. I think that’s a very important message.”

Finally, Toomey parried a question about the presidential election in 2012. “I don’t know how [the news] will affect [the election]; I doubt it will affect it one way or the other. . . . Both [administrations] deserve credit for the efforts they made. . . . I give President Obama full credit for pursuing this aggressively.”